06Apr 2025 by David Parsons
Playford’s Dance Steps

Playford’s Dance Steps

Events, For dancers
Saturday 10 May, 10:00 – 17:00 St Wulstan's Church Hall, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 0EG John Playford’s The Dancing Master books spanned 1651 (as The English Dancing Master) to 1728. In that time, English social dance metamorphosed from earthy Tudor origins to French-influenced elegance – or did it? Spend a lively day learning well-known and less well-known Playford dances, with the steps that people of the time would have danced. Led by friendly tutors from the Historical Dance Society. A great work-out for brains and legs! No partner needed nor previous experience. Please wear loose comfortable clothes and flexible footwear. Booking and enquiries Whole day: £40 per person; £5 reduction for low income or members of HDS. Half day (morning or afternoon): half price. Tea & coffee provided; bring own…
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28Jun 2001 by EmilyBowen

On Common Ground 3: John Playford and the English Dancing Master (2001)

Conference publications
Cecil Sharp House, London, 24-25 March 2001 Jointly organised with the English Folk Dance and Song Society Over 200 people from both the historical dance and folk dance worlds in Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Sweden and the USA gathered in London for this event jointly organised by the HDS and The English Folk Dance and Song Society. The formal paper presentations were divided into five sessions over the two days. All of the papers are available to download. Jennifer Kiek – 'That againe': an Exploration of the Formulaic Sequences in early English Country Dance Download Anne Daye – Taking the Measure of Dance Steps 1650-1700, through the Publications of John Playford Download Jeremy Barlow – Tunes in The English Dancing Master 1651: John Playford's Accidental Misprints?…
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22Feb 1996 by EmilyBowen

On Common Ground (1996)

Conference publications
Middlesex University School of Dance, incorporating The London College of Dance, Bedford, 24 February 1996 On Common Ground was organised by the HDS, with the assistance of Middlesex University School of Dance, as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. The aim of the conference was to explore the common ground of the principles and concepts of historical dance shared by researchers and practitioners in the field by bringing together people who value a valid and informed representation of dance of the 15th-19th century in their work and study. It was attended by teachers, researchers, performers, choreographers and students. The common ground was marked out by the sources they all share in arriving at a representation of dancing in the past. All of the papers are available to download. Ivor Guest…
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